Whether you're an author of a written work, or a dear reader, more than likely you have preferences about what subject matter you like-- what initially attracts you to it, and what keeps you interested.

I tend to like humor, suspense, mystery and horror, but anything that rings of good storytelling with interesting characters sparks my interest. In short, I like to transcend everyday life and travel somewhere different, whether to a distant planet or into the depths of a serial killer's mind. I like for a story to challenge me--teach me something. It doesn't even have to be fact--just something that stirs my imagination and curiosity.
But I also like some familiarity--something that I can indentify with that hooks me right into what's happening.
I've always been fascinated by stories that pit good against evil, with an underlying moral and a satisfying resolution.

Reading and writing are both subjective, and so there are no wrong ways to answer--as Ralph Waldo Emerson noted, "What can we see, read, acquire, but ourselves. Take the book, my friend, and read your eyes out, you will never find there what I find."
But I'm curious about how others feel, just the same--

If you had to choose one, which would you choose as the MORE IMPORTANT element of a story:

(1) action and adventure, or

(2) a message?

Is there something else you feel is more important than either of those? What do you look for in a book?

I treasure any input, so write your opinion and send it to me through "contact the author."